Google: Die Microsoft Office, DIE!

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A development of deeper significance than it looks is this one, with Microsoft Office the latest target of Google’s fire.

In the nutshell, the details are thus: an agreement between the search guru and Scott McNealy’s Sun which will see Google give web users free access to the latter’s OpenOffice software via the Google toolbar. Conversely, Sun will include the Google Toolbar as an option in downloads of its Java Runtime Environment. So far, so pally pally.

The interesting thing is that money bags Google, which I maintain is going about building an OS piece by piece in public, now has a free rival to Microsoft’s all conquering, but expensive, Office Suite. Given that Google tends to be winning the large majority of its head to heads with the beast of Redmond these days, this could get senior Microsoft execs (allegedly) throwing boardroom chairs again in frustration at its antics.

Furthermore, industry gossip queens suggest Google has more than a flitting interest in Sun as a whole, so the potential for a takeover – which would allow complete OpenOffice re-branding – has been muted. Operating system piece by piece, as I said…

All of which says to me the company should take a long hard look at Mozilla. If I were (Google chief) Eric Schmidt, I know that is where I’d turn my attention next…

Link:
Google UK
Sun Microsystems

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